18 Perfect Substitutes For Gram Flour To Enhance The Taste Of Recipes 

Now that vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular, there are many more people that are looking for substitutes for different types of food, like meat, eggs, and dairy.

There are lots of different substitutes to choose from when it comes to baking products, and people have turned to looking at different flour alternatives to use.

One popular flour alternative is gram flour, which is commonly used instead of regular white flour. This comes from South Asian cuisine, and it is made up of split brown chickpeas or chana dal.

This type of flour is yellow and powdery in appearance, and gram flour has the ability to provide various tastes when it is used in different dishes.

Although, if you have run out of gram flour, or you can’t seem to get your hands on any, then you might be left searching for a gram flour substitute.

Thankfully, there are a few different types of flour that you can use instead of gram flour, and we are going to be talking about them in this article.

What Is Gram Flour?

Gram flour is often confused with graham flour, but you should know that these are not the same thing. Graham flour is made from wheat. On the other hand, gram flour is made out of besan, which is a very close relative of lentils.

As well as this, it has various earthy flavors, and it is a great type of flour for people with coeliac or gluten sensitivities to use. Gram flour is gluten free and it is also really high in protein in comparison to other types of flour.

Gram flour is also full of essential minerals and vitamins, like fat, iron, fiber, and phosphorus. When you are using gram flour as part of a recipe, the besan will be able to decrease the formation of unhealthy compounds in a dish.

If you want to learn about some of the best substitutes for gram flour, it can be helpful to learn more about different types of flour and what they can best be used for.

This will help you to find other types of flour that will provide you with similar benefits.

What Are The Best Substitutes For Gram Flour?

Some of the best substitutes for gram flour are those that are made out of similar legumes, such as lentil flour, chickpea flour, soybean flour, quinoa flour, buckwheat flour, and tapioca flour.

All of these types of flour are perfect for people that have coeliac disease because they are gluten free, making them safe to eat.

Quick Table: Gram Flour Substitutes

As well as this, all of these flours will provide slightly different flavors, which means that each of them can work well for certain dishes that you are trying to create. 

There are lots of different substitutes that can be used instead of gram flour, but the type of flour that you use will depend on what type of dish that you are looking to create.

As well as this, you might have to specifically select vegan, gluten free, or other dietary options where needed.

We are going to list some of the best gram flour substitutes below for you to read about.

1. Quinoa Flour

Quinoa is a type of grain that is only becoming more and more popular, and you can make your own quinoa flour by grinding up quinoa yourself at home.

This is a great type of flour to use for those with dietary requirements because it is both gluten free and coeliac friendly.

This flour is typically the best used for making cakes, pancakes, pizza bases, and as a thickening agent to help you when making things like sauces and soups.

How To Substitute

Quinoa flour is the most nutritious flour that can be used to replace all-purpose flour in baking recipes. Quinoa flour has a mild flavor and is high in protein and fiber. This flour can be substituted for other flours such as wheat flour, rice flour, corn flour, and soy flour.

2. Tapioca Flour

Tapioca flour is made from cassava, also called uca, which is a root vegetable. This type of flour is high in starch, and it is mostly made up of carbohydrates.

This flour is gluten free, which makes it perfect for people that have food allergies and sensitivities, and it is often the best used for things like fries, tortillas, cake, and tacos. 

How To Substitute

Gram flour, or garbanzo flour, is a low-protein, ground-up legume flour that is primarily used to make Indian and African-inspired dishes. While it is not as fine as tapioca flour, it can be substituted for tapioca flour in many of the same recipes.

3. Buckwheat Flour

Buckwheat is a pseudo grain that is totally free from gluten, and it features a delicious nutty flavor that might just be the perfect thing for the dish that you are trying to create.

It is higher in fiber than a lot of other flours that we are going to talk about, but it does still work well. It is often compared to oat flour, as these two types of flour are very similar.

How To Substitute

Substituting buckwheat flour for regular flour in recipes can be difficult because of its unique taste. Buckwheat flour is typically used for gluten-free baking. However, it can also be substituted for wheat flour in baking.

4. Lentil Flour

Lentil flour is another commonly used type of flour, and more and more lentil based foods are being used recently.

When it comes to taste and texture, lentils are very similar to split chickpeas, which is why lentil flour is a good gram flour substitute. 

How To Substitute

Lentil flour is a healthy flour substitute made from whole lentils that are ground into a flour. It can be used in place of any type of flour to make lentil-based recipes such as lentil muffins, and it is gluten-free.

RELATED: What Are The Best Substitutes For Corn Flour?

5. Soybean Flour

Soybean flour is not as commonly used as the other types of flour on this list, which means that it can be difficult to get your hands on. However, it is very high in protein, which is why it is a great boost for your meals.

You might notice a bit of a soy flavor, so you should make sure that you don’t mind this before you start cooking with it.

How To Substitute

Soybean flour, also known as soy flour, is a ground bean powder. It is primarily used in Asian cuisine for thickening sauces, or for making tofu. Gram flour is a grain flour, which is ground from various grains. It is a mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Gram flour is also used to thicken sauces and make vegan desserts.

6. Oat Flour

Oat flour is the ground flour that has been produced from oats. The flour is made by milling the ground oats into flour and removing the bran and germ from the grain. It is typically used in baked goods and for gluten-free baking. 

Oat flour is a great choice for those who have not yet developed a tolerance for gluten, but still want to enjoy the delicious, fluffy texture of traditional baked goods.

Made with fine powder, it can be used in place of baked goods, as a thickener for sauces and cereal. 

How To Substitute

To substitute gram flour with oat flour, you will need to buy a jar of oat flour and grind it in a coffee grinder. You will then need to find a recipe that uses oat flour. This recipe can be found in the back of the oat flour jar.

7. Almond Flour

Almond flour is ground almonds that have been finely ground into a flour. It is often used in baking because of its high fat content, which helps create a moist, cake-like texture. 

It can be used as a replacement for all-purpose flour, but it is more commonly used as a thickener for sauces, soups, and gravies.

Also, it can be used in a variety of dishes, including baked goods and desserts, because it has a neutral flavor and slightly sweet taste.

How To Substitute

When you need to substitute almond flour for wheat flour, you can do so by substituting 1/3 of the wheat flour with 1/3 of the almond flour. This can be done in many recipes.

8. Cassava Flour

Cassava is a root vegetable that can be ground into a flour, which can be used to make a variety of baked goods. The flour is high in fiber, making it a healthy choice for your diet. 

It is a starchy root that is ground into flour to make cassava flour. This flour can be used to make a variety of baked goods to make breads, pastries, pancakes, and more.

It is also gluten-free, making it a great alternative for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

How To Substitute

You can substitute cassava flour with gram flour in any recipe. It is important to use the right amount of flour, which can be found in the ingredient list. You can also substitute the other flour with cassava flour.

9. Millet Flour

Millet is a cereal grain, often ground into flour and used in breads, pancakes, and muffins. It’s also commonly used in soups, casseroles, and as a side dish.

The flour can be used in gluten-free recipes, and it can also be used as a substitute for wheat flour in many gluten-containing recipes.

It has a mild, nutty flavor and is considered to be a good source of fiber, protein, and iron.

How To Substitute

Gram flour is a common type of flour used in bread making, while millet flour is used in other types of cooking. To substitute gram flour with millet flour, it is necessary to replace the amount of gram flour used in a recipe with an equal amount of millet flour. The process of replacing gram flour with millet flour can be time-consuming, but it can be worth it to have a healthier bread.

10. Amaranth Flour

Amaranth flour is a gluten-free flour made from ground amaranth seeds. It has a high nutrient density and is good for baking as well as adding to smoothies. 

 It is used in baking to add a nutty flavor and a deep yellow color.

It is also a source of antioxidants and is an excellent choice for baking because it does not produce gluten-induced inflammation in the body.

How To Substitute

Amaranth flour is a gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan flour that is often used in baked goods, including cookies, cakes, breads, and other pastries. It is a good substitute for gram flour in recipes that call for it. Amaranth flour is also an excellent source of iron, calcium, potassium, and fiber.

11. Whole Wheat Flour

Whole wheat flour is a product made from ground, finely ground wheat grains. It is used for baking breads, cakes, cookies, crackers, and pasta.

It is a source of fiber, minerals, and protein. Whole wheat flour is usually light in color and has a nutty flavor.

The nutrients found in whole wheat flour are good for a healthy diet. Whole wheat flour can be used in baking to make breads and other baked goods.

How To Substitute

While most people think of whole wheat flour as the healthier option, when it comes to baked goods, you can substitute white flour with gram flour, which is just ground up whole wheat flour. Gram flour is not as sweet as white flour, so you’ll need to add more sugar to your recipe.

12. All-Purpose Flour

All-purpose flour is a type of flour that is most often used in baking. It is the most commonly used flour and is a blend of wheat flour, durum flour, and semolina flour. 

The flour can be used in bread, pasta, cakes, and many other types of foods. Flour is used in many different types of food and it can be used to thicken sauces, as a coating for frying foods, or as a coating for breaded food.

How To Substitute

All-purpose flour is a type of flour that is typically used in baking and cooking. It is a blend of wheat flour and some other ingredients, including, but not limited to, wheat starch and salt. While it can be substituted in a recipe that calls for only white flour, all-purpose flour is typically less nutritious than white or whole-wheat flour.

13. Seitan Flour

Seitan is a protein-rich food made from wheat gluten that is usually flavored with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and green onions. 

This flour is made from gluten protein that is not only vegan, but also gluten-free. It is made by steaming the gluten and grinding it into a powder. 

The seitan flour can be used to make any seitan dish. It has a similar consistency to wheat flour, but has a more neutral flavor.

How To Substitute

Many recipes call for flour, but the flour is made of wheat, which is not the healthiest choice. Seitan is made from wheat gluten, so it is not gluten-free either. However, seitan flour is a good substitute for gram flour.

14. Corn Flour

This flour is made from whole grain corn, which is ground into a fine meal and then sifted to remove the coarse bran and germ. 

Corn flour is made from grinding dried maize kernels. It is a low gluten flour, which means it has a lower protein content than wheat flour. 

It is a dry powder made from grinding dried corn kernels, which is used to make corn tortillas, cornbread, and tamales.

How To Substitute

Gram flour is used in many recipes, but if you don’t have it, corn flour can be substituted. It has a texture similar to cornmeal and is an excellent thickening agent. Corn flour is made from cornmeal and can be used as a flour in place of all-purpose flour.

15. Whole Spelt Flour

Whole spelt flour is a grain made from the entire grain, instead of just the bran. It’s a gluten-free flour with a mild taste that’s perfect for gluten-free baking.

It is a great source of dietary fiber, protein, and minerals. This flour is also gluten-free, making it a healthy option for baking and cooking.

The spelt flour is a traditional flour made from a hard grain with a rich, nutty flavor and distinctive texture. 

The texture is a bit gritty because the whole grain is ground. Whole spelt flour is an excellent gluten-free option, as it is naturally low in gluten.

How To Substitute

Whole spelt flour is a healthy and versatile flour that is great for baking. You can substitute one cup of whole spelt flour for one cup of all-purpose flour, but keep in mind that it will change the texture of your baked goods.

16. DIY Gram Flour

Do it yourself gram flour is an all natural alternative to store bought flour. Made from ground, dehydrated beans, gram flour is gluten-free, low carb, and a healthy addition to your diet.

Gram flour is much finer than wheat flour, which makes it easier to incorporate into the dough, and it also has a slightly sweet taste. 

This flour is perfect for all types of baked goods and can be used in anything from pancakes to pizza crusts.

How To Substitute

If you’re looking for a gluten-free flour substitute, DIY Gram Flour is the perfect solution. DIY Gram Flour is made from ground up rice and tapioca starch and blends perfectly into baked goods.

17. Pastry Flour

Pastry flour is a type of flour that is finer than bread flour, and has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour. This type of flour is used to make delicate baked goods like pastries and cakes. 

Pastry flour is a type of flour that has a higher protein content than wheat flour, which is necessary for making the most common type of pastry dough. 

This type of flour is often used to make a variety of doughs for baked goods, such as pie crusts, cookies, biscuits, and croissants.

How To Substitute

To substitute a tablespoon of pastry flour for a tablespoon of gram flour, you need to use 2 tablespoons of pastry flour and one tablespoon of water.

18. Bread Flour

Bread flour is the most common flour used for making bread. The flour is often combined with other ingredients, such as yeast and salt, to make bread dough.

It is a type of flour that is used to make bread. It is an all-purpose flour that is usually combined with wheat flour, yeast, and salt.

Bread flour is used to make breads, rolls, and cakes.

How To Substitute

The simple recipe substitutes bread flour for gram flour in a traditional bread recipe. This can be used in any recipe that calls for gram flour.

Is Gram Flour The Same As Chickpea Flour?

One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to gram flour is that it is the same as chickpea flour.

This is most likely due to the fact that gram flour is made out of chickpeas, but the thing that makes them both different is the type of chickpeas that are used to make the flour.

As we have already mentioned, gram flour is made from split born chickpeas. On the other hand, chickpea flour is made by using white chickpeas that are ground up finely. Although the two may be similar, they do have different types of flour.

One of the main differences between the two is that brown chickpeas and white chickpeas both respond very differently to water.

White chickpeas are known for their coarse texture, which is why it requires more liquid when you are using it for baking purposes while trying to form a batter.

Gram flour has a much finer texture, and it won’t need as much water as chickpea flour when it comes to baking. It will all depend on what you are using the flour for, but you can sometimes use chickpea flour as a great alternative to gram flour.

Although, if any mixing with water is required, chickpea flour might not always be the best substitute to use.

How To Make Your Own Chickpea Or Gram Flour At Home

As we have just mentioned, the type of chickpeas that you use will determine the type of flour that you make, but you can choose to make your own flour at home if you wish to.

To do this, you will need to either use white chickpeas or split brown chickpeas, depending on which type of flour you want to create. We will tell you exactly how you can do this below. 

1. Grind Your Chickpeas –The first thing that you need to do is put all of your dried chickpeas into a food processor. Then, grind them for between 2 and 3 minutes, until you have a powder.

2. Sift The Flour – You will then need to use a sieve to sift the flour that you now have into a bowl. This will separate any of the large chunks that have not been broken down into flour, creating a softer flour.

3. Process Again – You can now gather everything that did not go through the sieve and put it into a grinder. Once it has been ground, you can go ahead and add it to the rest of your flour.

Now that you have made your homemade gram flour, you should put anything that you are not going to use straight away into an airtight container. You should then store it in a cupboard or in a cool and dry space.

You should use up the flour within 24 months of making it, but ensure that the container is kept sealed when it is not in use.

You can use gram flour for various different cooking and baking purposes, and it is a great versatile flour to have at home in your kitchen for this reason.

Any gram flour that has not been used up after 2 years should be discarded. 

Summary

There are lots of different types of flour that you can use if you can’t get your hands on gram flour, and many of them will work just as well. There may be slight changes in taste and texture, but you will still be able to create very similar results.

You might not even notice the difference at all. It usually won’t make too much of a difference in your cooking, but you might notice the difference in flour when you are baking.

Alternatively, if you do not want to use any of the substitutes that we have listed, you can go ahead and make your own gram flour at home if you can find some chickpeas.

As long as you have a food processor, you can make and store your own gram flour for a whole 2 years.

This is really easy and simple to do, and it is sometimes more convenient than having to make modifications to a recipe to suit the dish that you are trying to create.

It is all about finding the best flour that works for you, and this is something that may take some trial and error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Another Name For Gram Flour?

Gram flour is also known as ground or sifted flour. It is used in a wide variety of foods and is one of the primary ingredients in baked goods.

How Do You Make Gram Flour?

Gram flour is made by grinding the endosperm of a whole grain, usually wheat or corn. It is a common flour substitute in gluten-free cooking, as it has a protein content that is similar to that of wheat flour.

What Is Gram Flour?

Gram flour flour is a type of flour that is ground from a certain type of gram that is used in making some types of breads. It is often used in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes.

18 Perfect Substitutes For Gram Flour To Enhance The Taste Of Recipes 

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

35

minutes

Gram flour is a type of flour made from ground chickpeas. It’s used in Indian cooking and is a common ingredient in many Indian recipes. Find out what are the best substitutes for gram flour.

Ingredients

• Quinoa Flour

• Tapioca Flour

• Buckwheat Flour

• Lentil Flour

• Soybean Flour

• Oat Flour

• Almond Flour

• Cassava Flour

• Millet Flour

• Amaranth Flour

• Whole Wheat Flour

• All-Purpose Flour

• Seitan Flour

• Corn Flour

• Whole Spelt Flour

• DIY Gram Flour

• Pastry Flour

• Bread Flour

Directions

• Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
  
• Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio

Recipe Video

• Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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